02 February 2024 , 09:25
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Michael J Fox has admitted that "it sucks" while bravely opening up about his Parkinson's battle.
The Canadian-American activist and retired actor, 62, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease when he was 29 in 1991. He then went public with his diagnosis seven years later in 1998.
The initial early symptoms that the Back To The Future star experienced were twitching in his little finger and a sore shoulder. When he was diagnosed he was told that within a few years, he would not be able to work, but he did continue to act until 10 years ago.
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Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 (Getty Images)He is reported to manage the symptoms of his Parkinson's disease with the drug carbidopa/levodopa. He is also said to have had a thalamotomy in 1998.
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And now, the founder of the Michael J Fox Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation to find a cure for Parkinson's disease, has spoken out about how the disease hasn't defeated him, but noted how "it sucks".
Speaking to The Guardian this week, Michael touched on his diagnosis, saying: "It just is what it is. It didn’t defeat me. I wish it was a heroic thing. I’m not saying: ‘Yeah! Bring it, bring it!’
"I hate it. It sucks. It’s a piece of shit. It’s tough to get up in the morning and keep going. But I have a beautiful family and this office with trophies."
He also spoke about how he isn't interested "in being held up as any kind of saint or martyr". Asked if it was tough to be himself all of the time, due to having not acted in a decade, Michael added: "It’s a struggle. It’s very difficult. I get sick of talking about me. I know me too well."
Last year, Michael and the Michael J Fox Foundation announced the discovery of biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. Speaking about his activism and work, the retired actor went on: "It just became my whole purpose. And then that was the answer. I didn’t have time to think about it.
"And Parkinson’s has been by far the most exciting thing – much more than my career."